Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• During the search carried out in coordination by both forces, in addition to arresting two people, the agents seized a ton of tobacco
• The bulk of the research was carried out mainly in the vicinity of the Córdoba town of Almodóvar del Río and the Sevillian town of Écija

December 5, 2022.- Customs Surveillance Officials of the Tax Agency in Córdoba in joint operation with agents of the National Police, have dismantled a clandestine factory dedicated to to smuggling and illegal marketing of tobacco through courier companies. During the search carried out in coordination by both institutions, in addition to arresting two people, the agents seized a ton of tobacco.

Chopped, packaged and distributed nationwide

The Almodóvar operation began jointly, when they exchanged common information that pointed to a possible illegal tobacco grinding factory. The bulk of the research was carried out mainly in the vicinity of the Córdoba town of Almodóvar del Río and the Sevillian town of Écija.

The information collected and analyzed so far, together with the different investigations that were carried out by both bodies in a coordinated manner, determined that it was a group dedicated to tobacco smuggling in all its phases, from cutting the leaf to the illegal distribution of significant quantities of chopped tobacco throughout the national territory, through courier companies.

The first investigations also allowed the identification of the main suspects, as well as their modus operandi for transporting the merchandise and their way of operating.

Dismantling of a very active marketing point

Due to these facts and with the corresponding judicial authorization, on November 18, the main warehouse under investigation was entered and searched jointly, located in the San Ildefonso industrial estate, belonging to the town of Almodóvar del Río.

The device culminated in the dismantling of a very active point of sale of chopped tobacco, in which the agents arrested the two main investigators, accused of a smuggling crime.

In addition, 1,000 kilos of chopped tobacco were involved, ready to be distributed, abundant machinery to carry out the entire chopping and packaging process, and a large number of large courier bags, used to send the merchandise to the different provinces nationwide. . The detainees, along with the merchandise and effects, were placed at the disposal of the competent Judicial Authority.